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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
We don't talk about DEI: Wisconsin hospital systems are quietly removing diversity language
American Family Children's Hospital, part of the UW Health system, is seen in Madison, Wis., on April 1, 2020. (Photo by Dee J. Hall/Wisconsin Watch) Click here to read highlights from the story Health care systems including SSM Health, Aurora Health, UW Health and, most recently, Ascension have removed from their websites language related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). The changes have come in the months since President Donald Trump has signed executive orders abolishing federal DEI programs. UW Health publicly announced changes such as the removal of anti-racism modules titled 'Being a leader in anti-racism' and 'anti-racism funding' and replacement with modules called 'Being a social impact leader' and 'Community giving.' Republished from Wisconsin Watch. Multiple Wisconsin health care systems have removed diversity, equity and inclusion language or resources from their websites in the wake of President Donald Trump's federal ban on funding for DEI programming. The systems include SSM Health, Aurora Health, UW Health and, most recently, Ascension. Froedtert ThedaCare Health has maintained its DEI webpage, though it removed a link to its equal employment opportunity policy in recent months. Aurora Health, Ascension, Froedtert and SSM Health made the changes quietly, without directly alerting the public. UW Health, however, released an op-ed in Madison 365 April 8 explaining the changes. 'As we enter the next phase of this important work, we are further aligning with our organizational mission under the name of Social Impact and Belonging,' the op-ed said. 'This reflects both the evolved nature of the work and our desire that these mission-focused priorities endure despite the current tumultuous political environment.' The changes occurred in the weeks after President Donald Trump's executive order abolishing DEI programs from all federally funded institutions and programs. The executive order, issued Jan. 20, states the 'Biden Administration forced illegal and immoral discrimination programs, going by the name 'diversity, equity, and inclusion' (DEI), into virtually all aspects of the Federal Government, in areas ranging from airline safety to the military.' In response to attacks on DEI programs by the federal government, some organizations have pushed back, arguing Trump's actions are a threat to a multiracial democracy. Some institutions are also suing the federal government for its actions, such as threatening to withhold federal grants and funding. Harvard University has filed a lawsuit, citing First Amendment principles to protect 'academic freedom' and 'private actors' speech.' But while some federally funded institutions are pushing back, others are not. In the past couple of months, SSM Health removed the word 'diversity' from its website, including changing a page titled 'Our Commitment to Diversity' to 'Our Commitment to Culture & Inclusion.' SSM has hospitals located throughout Wisconsin including Ripon, Fond du Lac, Waupun, Baraboo, Janesville, Madison and Monroe. In changing the webpage, SSM Health also removed an entire section regarding its commitment to fostering a diverse workplace and health care center, including a section that read, 'SSM Health makes it a point to work with diverse organizations broadening our reach into the communities we serve to support and promote a more inclusive society.' SSM Health also notably replaced the section discussing diversity with comment on SSM Health's mission as a Catholic ministry. On the updated page, the system discusses its commitment to follow in the footsteps of its founders to ensure 'all people have access to the high-quality, compassionate care they need.' In removing the word 'diversity,' SSM replaced the statement 'At SSM Health, diversity is an integral part of who we are and a reflection of our mission and values' with 'At SSM Health, inclusion is an integral part of who we are and a reflection of our Mission, Vision and Values.' 'Today, our belief that every person was created in the image of God with inherent dignity and value calls us to foster a healthy culture, inviting each person to be the best version of themselves,' SSM Health communications consultant Shari Wrezinski said when asked for comment. Wrezinski said the organization's mission has remained the same, and its communications, policies, programs and practices reflect the organization's mission. 'This has not and will not change,' Wrezinski said. 'As such, our website and other communications materials are continually updated as we strive to clearly convey our commitment to a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and respected.' Despite removing the section on diversity, SSM Health has maintained its equal opportunity section. Froedtert did the opposite, by maintaining its webpages on diversity, equity and inclusion, but removing its equal opportunity policy document from the pages. The equal opportunity document, which can still be found online but was removed from the DEI website, specifically outlines Froedtert's commitment and policy to maintain equitable and nondiscriminatory recruitment, hiring and human resources practices. The document outlines two policies specifically: 'FH is committed to its affirmative action policies and practices in employment programs to achieve a balanced workforce' and 'FH will provide equal opportunity to all individuals, regardless of their race, creed, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, military and veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or any other characteristics protected by state or federal law.' Froedtert did not respond to requests for comment. The Froedtert system serves patients primarily in the Milwaukee area. Froedtert recently merged with ThedaCare, serving Wisconsin residents in the Fox Valley and Green Bay. In 2020, the system reported receiving tens of millions in federal funding through the CARES Act in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While removing a link to an equal opportunity document may be a simple change, the Rev. Marilyn Miller, a partner in Leading for Racial Equity LLC, said every small change pushes society further back in achieving full access and equity. 'So it might be a small tweak now, but what does that open the door to later? So, yeah, it's impactful because any change that's stepping back from full equity is a problem,' Miller said. 'There's populations that don't feel any security anymore.' Aurora Health Care also has removed DEI language in the past couple of months since the executive order. In 2018, Aurora merged with Advocate Health, a system with more than 26 hospitals throughout the Midwest. Advocate Aurora Health later merged with Atrium Health in 2022, creating the third largest nonprofit in the nation. Earlier this year, Aurora removed an entire page on diversity, equity and inclusion. The page now redirects to Advocate's page titled 'Access & Opportunity.' That change cut statements such as: 'Our diversity, equity and inclusion strategy is anchored by our purpose to help people live well and to deliver safe, consistent, and equitable health outcomes and experiences for the patients and communities we serve.' A spokesperson for Aurora Health Care said the organization will continue to 'deliver compassionate, high-quality, consistent care for all those we serve.' 'As our newly combined purpose and commitments state, we lift everyone up by ensuring access and opportunity for all,' the spokesperson said. 'To provide our patients and communities clear and consistent information that explains our programs, policies and services, we are making various changes to our websites.' Ascension, one of the largest nonprofit hospital systems in the nation, took down the entire page on diversity, equity and inclusion. The health care system currently operates at over 165 locations in Milwaukee, Racine, Appleton and Fox Valley. The system still has modules on 'Identifying & Addressing Barriers to Health' and 'Ensuring Health Equity.' Ascension did not respond to a request for a comment. UW Health removed its page on diversity, equity and inclusion, replacing it with a page titled 'social impact in belonging.' In doing so, UW Health removed 'anti-racism' from its entire website. It used to be one of the main themes. UW Health removed the anti-racism modules titled 'Being a leader in anti-racism' and 'anti-racism funding,' and now in their place are modules called 'Being a social impact leader' and 'Community giving.' Chief Social Impact Officer Shiva Bidar-Sielaff and CEO Alan Kaplan addressed the changes in a video, stating social impact and belonging align with their mission, values and strategies as a health care organization. 'At UW Health, social impact refers to the effects health care policies, practices and interventions have on the well-being of individuals and communities, improving health outcomes, access to care and quality of life,' Bidar-Sielaff said. 'Belonging is the understanding that you are valued and respected for who you are as an individual.' UW Health reported receiving $315 million in federal funding, totaling over half of the $622 million in grant funds — federal and non-federal — awarded to the School of Medicine and Public Health. That total is 37% of all grant funding awarded to UW-Madison. Despite claims by health care centers that missions remain the same, advocacy groups in Wisconsin are raising concerns regarding the impact these changes could have on communities in Wisconsin. Chris Allen, president and CEO of Diverse & Resilient — an advocacy group focused on health inequities for LGBTQ+ people in Wisconsin — said these quiet language shifts are significant. 'They send a message that commitments to addressing disparities may be weakening, even if that's not the stated intention,' Allen said. William Parke Sutherland, government affairs director at Kids Forward, a statewide policy center that advocates for low-income and minority families, said many health care partners feel pressured to preserve funding sources. In Wisconsin, maternal mortality rates are 2.5 times higher for Black women than white women. Maternal morbidities — or serious birth complications — were the highest among Black women and people enrolled in BadgerCare, the state's largest Medicaid program. From 2020 to 2022 there were 7.8 stillbirth deaths per 1,000 births among Black babies, compared with 4.5 among white babies. Disparities in maternal and infant mortality rates could be attributed to stress caused by poverty, lack of access to quality care, or systemic racism, according to health care researchers. If a mother is stressed over a long period of time, that can cause elevated levels of stress hormones, which could increase premature births or low birth weights for infants. For Black women, midwives have been found to reduce the disparities they otherwise may experience during pregnancy, reducing the risk of maternal mortality or morbidity. Access to midwives is currently covered by Medicaid, so losing federal funding could harm these services. Regardless of language, 'Wisconsin's racial disparities in health access and outcomes aren't going away on their own,' Sutherland said in an email. Removing language that acknowledges DEI efforts will not reduce the health care disparities felt by Wisconsin residents, Sutherland said. Federal funding cuts could also hurt rural families in Wisconsin, specifically those who rely on Medicaid for their health care needs. 'We cannot begin to address these challenges if we're not willing to acknowledge them,' Sutherland said. 'A colorblind approach has not helped in the past.' This article first appeared on Wisconsin Watch and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Business Wire
02-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Medica Launches in St. Louis, Bringing First Nonprofit Health Coverage and Local Partnerships to the Region
ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Medica, a nonprofit health insurance plan with a strong track record across the Midwest, is officially launching in the St. Louis region. As the only nonprofit health insurer in the market, Medica offers a new kind of health coverage—one that prioritizes affordability, trusted local care, and personalized service for businesses of all sizes. 'We're here in St. Louis to make health insurance feel different, more personal and more affordable,' said Brian Kuchnicki, Medica's St. Louis market President. Through partnerships with respected, high-quality healthcare systems like SSM Health and Mercy, Medica will deliver coordinated care that helps members stay healthy, supported, and connected to providers they already know and trust. 'We're here in St. Louis to make health insurance feel different, more personal and more affordable,' said Brian Kuchnicki, Medica's St. Louis market President. 'As a nonprofit, our focus isn't on shareholders—it's on people and the communities we serve. That means offering health plans that are affordable, accessible, and built around the needs of local employers and their employees.' The launch marks a major milestone in Medica's growth strategy, building on successful partnerships in nearby states like Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Nebraska. In those markets, Medica has earned a reputation for responsive service, community investment, and purpose-built health plans. 'We're proud to bring our mission—to better your life with care in the moments that matter—to the St. Louis community,' said Lisa Erickson, CEO and President of Medica. 'We'll do this by building strong relationships with local providers and offering health plans that help employers keep their teams healthy, productive, and supported.' With commercial plans that span ACA-funded small group, level-funded, fully insured and self-insured large group options, Medica offers the flexibility today's employers need—especially in price-sensitive industries like education, health care, retail, construction, and technology. In addition to expanding access to care, Medica remains committed to reinvesting in local communities. In 2024 alone, the organization invested $6.8 million into initiatives supporting mental health, food security, and healthy families. Our employees logged over 9,000 volunteer hours across the Midwest—participating in events like this March of Dimes and NAMI walks. 'Medica is celebrating 50 years of nonprofit service, and we are bringing that long-term commitment to the St. Louis region. Our commitment is prioritizing patient care and community health while ensuring that decisions are made with the best interests of members in mind,' adds Kuchnicki. For more about Medica's plans in St. Louis, visit About Medica Medica ( is a mission-driven, member-focused non-profit health plan headquartered in Minnesota. The company serves communities in the heart of America by providing health care coverage and related services in the employer, individual, Medicaid and Medicare markets. It operates in Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Medica's mission to better your life with care in the moments that matter is a testament to member-focused commitment to high quality, affordable health care.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Measles case at St. Louis Aquarium triggers health alert
ST. LOUIS – A confirmed case of measles has been reported in St. Louis, with potential exposure occurring at the St. Louis Aquarium on April 30. An out-of-state resident with a confirmed case of measles visited the St. Louis Aquarium and a nearby restaurant, raising concerns about a potential outbreak. Dr. Alexander Garza of SSM Health emphasized the contagious nature of measles, stating it is far more contagious than COVID-19. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The St. Louis Department of Public Health confirmed the exposure incident, noting that no new cases have been linked to this event so far. According to the CDC, there have been over 1,000 confirmed cases of measles in the U.S. this year, compared to 285 cases in 2024. Dr. Garza advises everyone to ensure they are vaccinated against measles, recommending those unsure to consult with their doctors about a second dose. Reactions from people near the aquarium varied, reflecting differing levels of concern about the potential exposure. All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KTVI. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KTVI staff before being published. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Metro Tech celebrates new nursing simulation lab
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — A ribbon cutting was held Thursday morning to celebrate Metro Tech's Springlake Campus' new nursing simulation lab. 'I can tell you this simulation lab is going to be a game changer,' said Kerri Bayer, the Regional Chief Nursing Officer of SSM Health. LOCAL NEWS: Last minute preps ahead of Festival of the Arts The project was funded by an ARPA grant, awarded through the Oklahoma Healthcare Workforce Training Commission. The hope is that it will help tackle the critical nursing shortage. 'During the pandemic, when people said we didn't have enough beds, we had physical beds, but we didn't have enough staffed beds and there are people that could potentially still be alive today had we had more nurses,' said Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives Kyle Hilbert. Destiny Smith is a second-semester student. 'It looks like a hospital and this is how we treat it,' said Smith. She showed KFOR around the nearly 10,000 square-foot facility Thursday. We started in the simulation lab, where students can practice patient care scenarios. 'We can check blood pressure. We're able to check our vital signs,' said Smith. 'If you put your hand on her chest, you can feel her breathing up and down.' LOCAL NEWS: Dollar Tree announces return of Marietta distribution center There's also the skills lab for students to get hands-on experience with fundamental nursing skills. 'This is where we take a picture of the heart,' said Smith. Our last stop on the tour was the surgical lab with four operating room suites. 'When we talk about nursing, we're building hope for all of Oklahoma. It's a really big deal,' said Brent Haken, Oklahoma CareerTech State Director. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
SSM Health hosts ‘Drug Take Back' drive in STL
ST. LOUIS – SSM Health is encouraging St. Louisans to participate in its 'Drug Take Back Drive' initiative from April 21 to April 27. Partnered with the U.S. Department of Justice, this drive serves as a safe alternative for those to dispose of their medication, especially with children or animals present in the house. 'We want to really enforce the importance of only keeping in your house what you need at that time to reduce the risk of any of these medications falling into the wrong hands,' said Victoria Lewis, pharmacist at SSM Health St. Joseph's West Hospital. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now SSM Health hosts this drive two times a year, and in 2024, the organization collected over 1,119 pounds of medication. Individuals can drop off their medications at the following locations: Saint Louis Hospital; 1201 S Grand Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63104 Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital; 12255 De Paul Dr Suite 370, Bridgeton, MO 63044 Depaul Hospital; 12303 De Paul Dr, Bridgeton, MO 63044 St. Clare Hospital (Fenton location), 1015 Bowles Ave, Fenton, MO 63026 St. Joseph Hospital (St. Charles and Wentzville locations), 300 1st Capitol Dr, St Charles, MO 63301 (St. Charles); 500 Medical Dr, Wentzville, MO 63385 (Wentzville) Disposing of medication is free and anonymous, the organization says. No screening or check-in is required as well. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
